From Maine to Utah, gay rights supporters are vowing to press forward for same-sex marriage or recognition of committed relationships.

Many disappointed supporters gathered in Maine Wednesday, where a law permitting gay marriage was overturned by voters. And here in Salt Lake, organizers of a petition drive staged a handcart trek. They say they will continue to push for what they believe are their rights.

With This is the Place Monument as a backdrop, about a dozen gay and lesbian Latter-day Saints walked behind a handcart, carrying petitions to their church leaders. A book of remembrance tells the stories of gays who have taken their own lives.

Members of the group said they were making a symbolic trek to try to reconcile with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They want a place in their faith.

Latter-day Saint parents of gay children came to support the effort.

"If there was some way to place some value on a committed, same-sex relationship, rather than no value, I think some of the tension that exists between the Church and the gay community would evaporate overnight. But I don't see that happening very soon," said Gary Watts, with Foundation for Reconciliation.

The members of Foundation for Reconciliation delivered the petitions with about 2,000 signatures to Church headquarters.